The recent spike in bitumen prices to ₹82 per kg, nearly double last year's price of ₹42 per kg, has severely impacted road construction activities across Himachal Pradesh. The Public Works Department (PWD) reports that contractors are halting work due to fears of financial losses, slowing down essential summer road tarring and maintenance efforts. PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh noted that this situation is compounded by rising logistics costs due to increased diesel prices, making many projects financially unviable. With a target to complete 500 to 600 km of tarring this season, the department is struggling as contractors express reluctance to take on new projects amidst uncertainty. The poor state of roads, particularly in rural areas, has raised concerns, leading to difficult travel conditions. Singh has discussed the issue with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and has reached out to the central government for intervention, seeking measures to regulate bitumen prices and alleviate the financial burden on states. The rising costs are also affecting other sectors, including tourism and hospitality, as inflation continues to escalate.